{
  "id": 15384756,
  "title": "Daniel Dubois' five options after Fabio Wardley knockout - from Filip Hrgovic to Tyson Fury",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/daniel-dubois-five-options-after-fabio-wardley-knockout-from-filip-15384756",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T04:38:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/combat-sports/2026/10/18/daniel-dubois-five-options-after-fabio-wardley-knockout-from-filip-hrgovic-to-tyson-fury/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Daniel Dubois secured his WBO heavyweight title with a swift second-round knockout of Briton Fabio Wardley at London's O2 Arena. The 29-year-old champion's devastating straight right floored Wardley within 17 seconds, and Dubois continued his assault until the ref stopped the action. Wardley, 31, still held his composure to survive the first round, but Dubois' relentless onslaught left the 31-year-old with no escape. Dubois, never one for lengthy speeches, declared, \"Our back was against the wall the first time, this time we just had to go out there and show that we mean business and that's what we did tonight.\" Wardley, promoted to WBO champion after Oleksandr Usyk vacated the title, appeared much diminished after his previous loss to Dubois in Manchester last May. Dubois boasts a 24-3 record, while Wardley stands at 20-2-1.\n\nHere are five options Dubois could pursue next: 1. Filip Hrgovic, the Croatian IBF titleholder who lost to Dubois in 2024 and expressed his desire for a rematch. 2. Agit Kabayel, who holds the WBC title and is set to defend against Nelson Hysa next month. A unification fight against Kabayel would make sense. 3. The winner of the upcoming Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury bout, with the WBA title reportedly on the line. Whether the victor would be eager to face Dubois remains uncertain. 4. Should Cuban Frank Sanchez defeat Hrgovic, he might be on Dubois' radar. 5. Finally, Oleksandr Usyk, Dubois' former opponent, who has beaten him twice. A rematch could provide another opportunity for Dubois to challenge the current division leader.",
  "summary": "Daniel Dubois retained his WBO heavyweight belt with a one-sided and devastating second-round stoppage of fellow Briton Fabio Wardley in their world title rematch on Saturday. The 29-year-old champion made a storming start at London's O2 Arena and Wardley's legs went from under him for a count within 17 seconds of the opening bell as Dubois floored him with a straight right. Wardley, 31, beat the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Daniel Dubois' five options after Fabio Wardley knockout - from Filip Hrgovic to Tyson Fury",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/daniel-dubois-five-options-after-fabio-wardley-knockout-from-filip",
        "published": "2026-10-18T04:38:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}